Coil grinding equipment



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Patented Apr. 7, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COIL GRINDING EQUIPMENT Wallace K. Lowe, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to Crucible Steel Company of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application December 6, 1950, Serial No. 199,410

10 Claims;

This invention relates to grinding and polishing machines, and more particularly to such machines wherein abrasive members are simultaneously rotated about their axes and revolved about the work interposed therebetween in pressure engagement therewith.

Apparatus has been suggested in the past for grinding and polishing elongated stock or elongated workpieces, including wire stock having in combination a rotatable supporting head which mounts a grinding wheel, the supporting head having an axially extending passage therethrough for the wire stock. In such apparatus the supporting head has been rotated about the stock and the grinding wheel revolved in planetary movement thereaboutat the same time, the grinding wheel being in operative engagement therewith and being rotated upon its axis.

In such apparatus heretofore proposed, workholding or work-rest members have been mounted in fixed r adjustable relation with said supporting head for maintaining the wire stock against lateral displacement and to urge same against the grinding wheel, there being suitable means for moving the work-holding member towards the grinding wheel whereby the wire stock can be maintained in engagement with such wheel as the latter wears away. Such prior apparatus has employed the periphery of the grinding wheel as the working surface thereof. Furthermore, such prior apparatus has employed only a single grinding wheel for planetary .movement about the wire stock. It is, of course, necessary to employ a counterweight to counterbalance such single grinding wheel and to adjust same radially of the grinding head in order to compensate for wear of the wheel. As the grinding wheel is gradually worn, the mass thereof is reduced by an amount equal to the mass removed by attrition or abrasion. The counterweight for the grinding wheel does not undergo a similar reduction in mass. Consequently the extent of the radial adjustment for the grinding wheel will not be similar to the extent of radial adjustment of the counterweight for a given reduction in mass of the grinding wheel. This has introduced substantial difiiculties in the balancing of the grinding wheel and has complicated the problem of radial adjustment of these parts while in motion. Furthermore, in apparatus of this character suggested in the past there. has not been a satisfactory means provided for injecting grinding solution into the housing for the grinding head.

Also prior apparatus of this type heretofore 2 suggested has not been capable of as rapid and thorough grinding of the wire stock as that herein disclosed because they have employed only a single grinding wheel and, as above mentioned, only the periphery of such grinding wheel.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide novel means for grinding a continuous coil of wire of the so-called centerless grinder type which means can be easily and simply adjusted to compensate for wear of the grinding surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide so-called self-balancing grinding means for continuously grinding elongated stock, such as a coil of wire. I

Still a further object is to provide apparatus of this character, including novel means for controlling the axial movement of the grindin'gsurfaces between which the workpiece moves.

The invention, in one aspect thereof, is constituted by a novel grinding head. It is normal practice to mount grinding heads at opposite extremities of a main support shaft, the latter being rapidly rotated by suitable power means and having a passage extending axially therethrough for the movement of the wire stock. Novel grinding heads of the present invention are mounted one on each extremity of such a main supporting shaft and each comprises a pair of grinding wheels which are mounted upon a disc-like supporting head, the latter being also termed a rotatable head. Such grinding wheels are mounted on opposite sides of the center of the supporting head in such a manner'that the Wire stock to be ground can pass therebetween and through such axial passage in the supporting shaft. Said wheels are mounted on opposite sides of the wire stock in so-called face-toface relationship whereby they are positioned in such a manner that the flat faces thereof instead of the peripheries engage and grind the stock. Where two such grinding heads are employed, one at each extremity of a main supporting shaftas above mentioned, it is usual for the grinding head which first engages the stock to provide a roughing grind and the latter a finishing grind. Each grinding wheel is independently driven by a motor which may be .coaxial therewith, individually connected thereto and mounted on the supporting head. Means are provided for mounting the motors and the grinding wheels secured thereto for movement along the axes of their respective grinding wheels, that is, radially of the'supporting head or substantially so, whereby said grinding wheels can be adjusted concurrently toward or away from the wire stock by means of a separate adjusting motor which also is mounted upon said supporting head and is operatively connected by suitable means to the axially shiftable motors. The grinding wheels preferably are mountednot precisely, in parallel face-to-face relationshipbutwith the axes thereof slightly canted relative to one another, that is, disposed so that such axes intersect at an acute angle preferably at or near the axis of the main support shaft whereby marginal portionsof said grinding wheels engage the wire stock.

Various, further and more specific'objects, features and advantages of the invention will clear-. ly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and illustrate, by way of example, preferred arrangements of apparatus for carrying out the invention. The invention consists'of such novel combinations of features as may be shown'and described in connection with the apparatus herein disclosed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is-a side elevation showing one form of the present invention;

Fig. 2'is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in' Fig. 1 taken substantially along line 22' of the latter figure;

Fig. 3 is an end view, partly in section and with partsbroken-away, of the novel grinding head embodying-one form-of the present invention;

Fig.4"is aside elevation, partly in section and with parts broken away, of a grinding head embodying one'form of the'present invention;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of'a portion of the grinding head taken substantially along line 6'6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 1-| of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation on a somewhat enlarged scale, partly in section and with parts broken away, showing the central portion of the main supporting shaft, including the slip'ring structure mounted thereon;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along line Ill-l ll of Fig, 9;

Fig- 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along line of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a view, partly in section and with parts broken away, of a modification of the main supporting shaft employed in this apparatus, including wire stock supporting means which is designed for giving support to the stock at the region where it is engaged by the grinding wheels;

Fig. 13 is a detailed fragmentary view in side elevation on an enlargedscale, partly-in section and with parts broken away, ofsaid-wire stock, supporting means;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is anend' view of the parts shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a detailed longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale of a nozzle device for directing grinding fluid onto the workpiece;

Fig. 1'7is a sectional view taken alongline I'l -i1 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a side elevation showing a modification of the present invention; and

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on line |9|9 of Fig. 18.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail, with particular reference to Fig. 1, the apparatus is constituted in general by a feed and straightening unit indicated at 20, a grinding and/or polishing unit as at 2|, a control'unit as at 22 and a reeling unit as at 23.

An unwinding drum or frame is provided at around which the wire stock to be ground or polished is initially, wound and from which it is unwound andfed into the apparatus. The wire stock is indicated at 25 and is directed first to a pinch roll unit indicated generally at 26 and which includes. apair of peripherally grooved rolls 21 and 28 between which the wire stock passes and by which said stock is urged toward the remainder of the apparatus and particularly toward a wire straightening unit 29. One orboth of saidpinch rolls preferably are power driven by a motor indicated at 30 through theintermediary of a reduction gear 3|, the latter being connected to said rolls as by a sprocket chain 32.

The grinding and polishing unit 2| isconstituted generally by a main supporting shaft'33 which is journaled for rotation in suitablebearings generally indicated at 34 and 35. Shaft 33 can be rotated by a suitable electricmotor indicated at 33 which is openatively connected thereto by means of a worm and wheel reduction unit, indicated generally at 37; by a sprocket chain 38 which engages suitable sprocket'wheels 33 and '43 respectively secured to the shaft 33 and to an output shaft of said reductionunit 37.-

Secured to opposite extremities of shaft 33 are grinding heads 4| and 42 which may be respectively employed for a rough and finish out or grind upon the stock 25. The grinding heads 4| and 42 are each completely enclosed by protective housings 43 and 44, respectively.

The motor 36 (Fig. 2) is mounted upon a main pedestal 45 which in turn supports a journal pedestal 46 upon which the journals 34 and 35 are mounted.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and particularly to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the main supporting shaft 33 rests in a suitable sleeve bearing as of Babbitt metal 35a, the latter comprising a part of said bearing 35. At the righthand extremity of the main supporting shaft 33 (Fig. 4) the grinding head 4| is located. Said grinding head includes @a so-called supporting head" or rotating head 4'! which is rigidly secured to the shaft 33 for rotation therewith and preferably is a disc-like member. The main supporting shaft 33 has formed therein an axial passage 33a through which the wire stock 25 can pass. As shown in Fig. 4, said. wire stock is directed to Wardthe center of the supporting head 41 and hence toward the axial passage in the main supporting shaft 33, the latter two elements being concentric. The wire stock 25 moves from right to left as viewed in Fig. 4.

Said grinding head 4| is provided'with a pair of grinding wheels 48 and 49 which aremounted, as is well shown in Fig. 4, on opposite sides'of the axis of the main supporting shaft 33 and hence similarly with respect to the supporting head 41, said wheels being in so-called face-to-face relationship wherein the faces thereof (as opposed to the peripheries) are almost parallel to one another. But, in. the 'formshown, such faces are not quite parallel, the axes of rotation thereof,

being disposed at an acute angle to one another as shown in Fig. 1. Such axes may intersect at the axis of the main supporting shaft 33 but, as is shown in Fig. 3, such axes intersect at a point slightly above the axis of shaft 33. The axes of rotation of the grinding wheels 48 and 49 are preferably coplanar although the invention is not limited thereto.

It has been determined that the efficacy of the grinding wheels, and particularly the balancing thereof, is substantially improved by so disposing the grinding wheels and by mounting them for axial movement as will be explained hereinafter.

The terms faoe-to-face, as employed in describing the relative dlspositionof the grinding wheels 48 and 49, indicates that the portions of the grinding wheels in planes perpendicular to the respective axes of rotation thereof are substantially parallel and are situated opposite to one another in spaced relationship and substantially in register.

Individual power means are provided for rotating the grinding wheels 48 and 49 which preferably comprise electric motors 59 and 5 I, respectively. The rotors of such motors are, in the form shown, coaxial with and rigidly secured to their respective grinding wheels 48 and 49. However, the invention is not limited to such a. relative disposition of the rotors and the grinding wheels, it being understood that such rotors may be 013-- eratively connected to such grinding wheels in any suitable manner.

The grinding wheels 48 and 49 thus are arranged to grind the wire stock 25 upon flat faces 48a and 49a (Figs. 4 and 5) rather than upon their peripheral edges 4% and 49b.

The grinding wheels 48 and 49 are mounted for axial movement, as will be hereinafter explained, in such a manner that they contact diametrically opposite surface portions of the stock 25 being ground. Also the grinding faces 43a and 490., by virtue of the canting of the axes of the grinding wheels, are set at an acute angle to the direction of stock feed and to the axis of the main supporting shaft 33.

It will be observed that as a result of such canting of the grinding wheels the faces thereof, 48a and 49a, will become bevelled after a sufficient period of engagement with the wire stock so that an appreciably greater abrasive surface will engage the stock, as is best shown in Fig. 5 and as compared with the area of engagement as shown in Fig. 4. As is well shown in Fig. 4, the motors 50 and 5| are mounted with the axes thereof coplanar and slightly canted, that is, at an acute angle relative to one another. Said axes intersect at a point which may be slightly removed from the axis of the main supporting shaft. Said motors 50 and 5| are mounted in a manner which is well illustrated in Fig. 5 wherein the mounting for motor 50 is shown in detail. Such mounting is constituted by a cylindrical outer housing 52 which surrounds a cylindrical inner housing 53, the latter enclosing a stator 54 and a rotor 55 which is mounted upon a rotor shaft 56. The latter mounts the grinding wheel 48.

The inner housing 53 is adapted for axial sliding movement in the cylindrical outer housing 52 but is restrained from angular movement therein by virtue of the key 51 which is secured to the housing 53 and engages a suitable groove in the housing 52.

The canting of the axes of the grinding wheel 48 is accomplished by securing the outer housing 52 to the supporting head 41 by means of a wedge-shaped member 58 which may be formed integral with a mounting plate generally indicated at 59 which in turn may form a part of the outer housing 52. It is preferable for the mounting plate 59 with its wedge-shaped portion 58 to engage a suitable recess formed in the supporting head 41 and to be secured therein in a well known manner, as by bolts.

It will be understood that the mounting for the motor 5| is analogous to that of motor 50. Thus each grinding wheel and its associated driving motor is mounted as a unit and is axially adjustable toward and away from the stock being ground in a manner to be explained more fully hereinafter.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, a coolant or a lubricant solution to facilitate the grinding is supplied to the stock at the region of abrasion by means of a supply conduit 60 having branches BI and 62 respectively directed to the grinding heads 4| and 42. In Fig. 4 there is shown in detail novel nozzle means for directing such solution onto the region of the stock undergoing grinding and also onto the stock prior to the time it is abraded by the grinding wheels. Such nozzle means are generally indicated at 63 and are constituted by a centrally mounted nozzle 64 which preferably'is frusto-conical in shape having a frusto-conical inner passage. The nozzle 64 is secured to a nozzle base65 which is in the form of an annular sleeve member communicating with a ring 66 which is directly in communication with the conduit 6|. The stock 25 passes through a suitable passageway in the ring 66, the base member 65, thence through the passage in the nozzle 54, and thence to the grinding wheels. The grinding solution thus is directed onto all sides of the wire stock 25 prior to the time that it emerges from the nozzle 64. The nozzle 64 has a mouth 64a, the inner diameter of which is slightly in excess of the diameter of the wire stock. Consequently such solution is squirted out of the nozzle 54 onto all sides of the stock being ground and is directed to a point beyond the grinding wheel, as viewed in Fig. 4. Preferably the mouth 64a. of 218221; 64 is situated between the grinding wheels In order to retain the solution for recirculation and reuse, a bowl member or a bowl-like retaining vessel, having an aperture formed in the center of the bottom thereof for the passage of the wire, is provided as at 61 and may be secured to the main supporting shaft 33 by any suitable means. Said aperture in the bottom of the bowl member 61 is shown as at 6B, the latter being in register with the axial passage 33a. formed in the shaft 33. As is well shown in Fig. 4, the bowl-like member is also provided with circular openings situated in diametrically opposed locations for the reception of so-called neck flanges 53a and 5Ia of the motors 50 and 5|, respectively. Such circular openings are indicated at B9 and I0. Flanges are formed around said openings as at 6911 and 19a, respectively, for embracing closely said neck flanges 50a and 5la, respectively, whereby the coolant or grinding solution is prevented from leaking past said flanges. The bowl 61, as shown in Fig. 4, extends from the extremity of shaft 33 to the right somewhat beyond the grinding wheels 48 and 49, there being an outwardly flared mouth of the bowl.

aesaievv provided at 910. whichis designedfori cooperating with aflXedportion-of the housing 49. The above-described nozzlemeans 63 preferably is held in the position shown in Fig. 4tby means of a stationary shell 43a which preferably is circular incross-section as taken in a plane perpendicular tothe axis of the wire stock 25.: Said shell 43a is rigidly secured to theoromainder of the housing in any suitable means as by the flanged interconnecting member H. The shell 43a is provided with an inwardly turnededgeasat 43bwhich forms a stationary annular'flange: for cooperating with a rotating annular flange 61b formed at the outer margin of the mouth 61a of the bowl 61. The shell 43a cooperating with the bowl 6'! retains substantially all of the solution ejected from the nozzle 94; said solution collecting in the shell 43afrom 61 and being-conducted therefrom by means of a recovery conduit 12 in communication therewith.

A bowl (not shown) similar to bowl 57 is employed analogously in the grinding head 4?. and cooperates with a shell44a which is analogous to said shell 43a. A suitable recovery conduit forthe: grindingsolution is provided at T3 for conducting same away from the shell Ma.

Suitable hand controlled valves, as at it, '35, areinter-posed respectively I in the conduits 6| andGZ-forcontrolling the volume of such solution directed upon the workpiece.

Referring againto Fig. 5, the-means forassociating the-grinding-wheel 8 with the motor will now be-desoribed. Said grinding wheel 48 is mounted upona metal plate 'IES by means, forexample; of suitable nuts 1"! and bolts 78. The mounting plate 19 is secured to a bed plate or motor disc 19 by any suitable means, such as bolts, one-of which is'shown at E9. The disc 19'is formed'with a central bore for the reception of the outer extremity of the motor shaft 56, such extremity being indicated at 59a. A shoulder 56b preferably is formed on-said shaft to the'left of the portion 59a, as viewed in Fig. 5, upon which said plate 79 rests and ish'eld thereagainst by means of a cap plate BI and bolts 92.-

The motor shaft 56 is provided with roller bearings 93 for absorbing radialthrusts, said bearings 83 being at the righthand extremity of the shaft, as viewed in Fig. 5, and thus near that extremity of the shaft 55 which supports the grinding wheel 49.

The grinding Wheel 99, in order to engage the wire stock 25, may be urged to the right (Fig. 5) and consequently a suitable thrust bearing as at 84 is provided for'communicating thrust in such direction to the shaft 55 and hence to said grinding wheel. For aiding in disengaging the grinding wheel from the wire stock or in moving same to the left (Fig. 5), a suitable bearing is provided for communicating thrust to the left from the housing to the shaft 59, such bearing-being provided at 85. The inner ring of bearing 85, may, if desired, be rigidly held to the shaft 56 by means, for example, of an end plug 86; However, the operative interconnection between said bearing and the housing of the motor for communicating thrust to the left may include a bearing plate as at 81 which surrounds the shaft 56 and by suitable shoulders at 88 contacts the outer ring of said bearing, said bearing plate 81 being operatively associated with the housing 53 by means of yielding members comprising springs 89' which surround. arms 90,:the latter being connected tothe bearing plate 81;

The stationary outerraceor ringof the bearing 89 is preferably embraced by aflanged hear-- ing plate 9|. The latter is secured to an annular or-ring-shaped member 92 by any suitable fasteningmeans-asat 93. Member 92. preferably is rigidly secured, as by welding, .to theinner housing 53. The inner face of the ring 92 is provided with a stepped surface 92a for the receptionofarbearing plate 94, the latter being removable for disassembly purposes upon the unfastening of the means 93 and the removal of the bearing plate 9|. The bearing plate 94 pro-.- vides along the inner margin thereof a shoulder for communicatingthrust to.one of the-.rings of the bearing 84, .said thrust beingv to the right (Fig. 5) and being communicated to the shaft'56 via the other ring of bearing 84 and via a flanged sleeve 95, the latter engaging the shoulder; 56b via the inner raceiof the bearing'83.

There will now be described the'novel means for controlling concurrently the. axial positions of the grinding wheels 48'and 49 by axial movement of the motor housings. Such means for housing 53 for the motor dli is shown in Fig. 5. A portion of the outer cylindrical surface of the inner-housing 53 is threaded, as at 53a, and such threaded portion is embraced by an annular shaped gear 95 having a toothed peripheryandia threaded inner surface, the latter being designed for threaded engagement with said threadedportion 53c. It is clear, if suitable means, comprising for example the'key 5?, are provided'forpreventing angular movement of the inner housing 53 and for preventing axial movement-of the gear 99, that angular movement of the latter Will be trans lated into axial movement of the housing 53 and hence the grinding wheel 43 which isaxially movable therewith. The means'for restraining said gear from axial movement comprise, in the form shown, a pair of flanges 91 and 9-8'which are situated fixedly adjacent opposite faces of the gear 99' The flange 9? preferably is formed in"- tegral with the'outer housing 52'and surrounds the latter. The flange 98 is rigidly secured relative to the flange 91 by any suitable means whereby there is no relative movement therebetween. It has been found desirable to interpose suitable bearings between the'fianges 91 and 98 and the gear 95. For example, a bearing ring 99 is interposed between the flange 91 and the gear 96- and a suitable ball bearing as at-IOU is interposed between the flange99 and said gear, the latter bearing having been found desirable in order to assist in urging the grinding wheel to the right as viewed in Fig. 5 and against the wire stock.

Referring to Fig. 3, the annular gear 96 is shown in connection with the motor 59 and an analogous gear it! isshown in connection withmotor 51, the latter being operatively associated With this motor in a manner analogous to that of gear 96.- Means are provided for simultaneously shifting said gears 99, till angularly in order to move the grinding wheels 48, 49 axially in opposite direc-' tions. Said means are constituted in the form shown by a common adjusting, motor [92' (Figs. 3, 6 and '7) which is securely mounted upon the pp ting head 41, as is well shown .in Fig; 6, wherein said motor l 02 is supported in a suitable aperture near the margin of said supporting head 4'5. The motor I92 communicates torque simultaneously to said gears 96 and 1 0| by an'operative interconnection consisting of the following: A

worm I03 secured to a shaft I04 01 the motor I02 is in engagement with a worm wheel I05 which is keyed to a shaft I06. To the latter shaft there is also keyed a pinion gear I'I Which meshes with a pinion gear of substantially larger diameter as at I08, the latter in turn being in keyed engagement with a supporting shaft I 09. The elements I03I08 thus constitute a reduction gear train for very substantially reducing the R. P. M. of the motor I02. Because of the above-described canting of the axes of the motors 50 and and the grinding wheels 48 and 49, it is necessary to employ universal couplings III] and III for respectively interconnecting the shaft I09 with the remaining portions of the operative interconnection to said gears 96 and I9I. The universal coupling II 0 communicates the torque of shaft I09 to a shaft H2 mounted in a suitable bracket I I3 and having secured thereto a chain sprocket gear H4. The latter, by means of a chain belt I I5, interconnects the gear I I 4 to a chain sprocket IIG, the latter in turn being secured to a shaft II'I upon which there is also secured a pinion gear IIS which meshes with said gear 96.

The coupling II I for the gear II is operatively interconnected to the latter by analogous means. It is understood that the threading upon the inner housings of the motors 50 and 5| is such that actuation of the motor I02 will cause the grinding wheels to'move axially and concurrently in opposite directions. 1 The slip ring structure for communicating electrical energy to the-three motors comprising parts of each grinding head is well shown in Figs. 8-11, inclusive. For example, in Fig. 8 the slip ring structure for grinding head 4| is indicated generally at H9 and for grinding head 42 at I20. Each slip ring unit is constituted by six separate slip rings-mounted in suitable insulation to insulate same from one another and from a bearing sleeve 33b which embraces the shaft 33, the sleeve 33b being interposed between the shaft 33 and the above-described bearing therefor.

As is well shown in Fig. 10, a portion of the electrical interconnection between slip rings I I9a, 1 I91) and the motor 50 is shown. Said slip rings II9a and H91) are connected to said motor by means of suitably insulated wires I2I and I22 which are secured respectively thereto and which pass through a suitable passage 330 formed in the bearing sleeve 33?).

The next pair of slip rings 90, M901 is connected to the motor 5| by analogous means, and the pair of rings II9e and H9) is also connected analogously to the adjusting motor I02. .Said-slip rings II9a-I I9f, inclusive, surround a common insulating sleeve I23 (Fig. 11) which embraces the bearing sleeve 33b. Said rings have interposed therebetween spacers as at I24. The slip ring assembly is held together by means of end flanges I25, I26 which are secured to one another by means of suitable bolts as at I21.

Upon the control unit 22 (Fig. 1) suitable electrical control units are located for governin the speeds of the grinding wheel motors, such as 50, SI, and also for controlling the adjusting motors, such as I 02.

In operation, the grindin wheels are separated by. a sufficient distance to permit free passage of the wire stock 25 while the latter is being, threaded through the machine whereupon the motor 36 is started for rotating the grindin wheels planetarily around the wire stock, at which time the adjusting motors, such as I 02, may be actuated to move the grinding. Wheels,

10 such as 48, 49, to a point where they engage the wire stock, the motors of the grinding head 4| being adjusted for a rough cut and the motors for the head 42 being adjusted for a finish out.

Due to the high reducing action of the gear train and the related operative interconnection between the adjusting motor, such as I02, and the inner housing of the motors 50, 5I', it is possible to control the movement of the grinding wheels with substantial accuracy because a single revolution of the motor I02 provides a very minute axial movement of said grinding wheels. During operation the coolant or grinding solution is continuously directed into the grinding heads and is recovered in the recovery bowls therein and directed to suitable means for recirculating same. .As the grinding wheels wear down, their mass is reduced as hereinabove mentioned, but such wearing down will be at a common rate for both wheels whereby the change in mass will be equal for both andconsequently there is a so-called self-balancing action. By simple adjustment of the motor I02 said wheels are moved concurrently in equal but opposite amounts thereby properly adjusting same. Suitable means can be provided for continuously measuring the diameter of the Wire stock at a point near the region of abrasion thereof and for controlling each adjusting m0- tor as at I02 in accordance therewith whereby there can be an-automatic control of the axial position of the grinding wheels of a single pair relative to one another. Thus there can be provided a so-called automatic sizing device. In lieu of such automatic control, the axial position of the grinding wheels of a single pair thereof can be controlled from the control panel 22.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. l, the main supporting shaft 33 is a continuous member without any means for separating same, for example, into halves to facilitate the installation of sprocket chain 38. Thu in order to remove the sprocket chain 38 from the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 1, it is necessary to disassemble a major portion of th apparatus and to remove the chain via one of the extremitiesof the shaft 33, or alternatively to'disassemble a link in said chain whereby the latter may be separated and removed from its sprocket wheels as at 39 and 40. In the modification shown in Fig. 12, means are provided for removing the chain 38 from the gear 39 and separating same from the apparatus by providing separable portions of the main supportin shaft. Thus a modified main supporting shaft is indi-- cated generally in Fig. 12 at I28 and is constituted by separable half portions I28a, I282). At the inner or adjacent extremities of half portions I28a, I28b there are provided sleeves or collars I29 and I30 which may be rigidly secured together by any suitable means, such as the bolts I 3I'. One of the collars, such as I29, is provided with a peripheral surface as at I29a on which is mounted in keyed engagement therewith an annular sprocket member I32 which is analogous to the sprocket wheel 39 (Fig. 2). An end flange I 300. on the collar I30 is so constructed and arranged that it cooperates with the collar I29 for holding the sprocket member I 32 in position on said periphery I29a against a flange I291) when the two shaft halves I23a, I281) are bolted together as shown in Fig. 12. Thus in order to remove a belt or chain 38 from around member I32 it is necessary only to remove bolts I31, separate the collars I23, I36, and slide. member I32 to the left (Fig. 12) off of periphery I29a.

The shaft half portion I28a, in the form shown,.is constituted by a main bearing-shaft I280 which is journaled in suitable bearings as at, I33 which support same in the manner of a sleevebearingyand is provided with an end bearingQflange I330. which is designed for engaging a collar '4'ia10f the supporting head ,7. Such endfiangel33a acts in the nature of a thrust bearing when the device is assembled for o?- eration.

128d which extends into a recess IZiie of shaft portion'I28c'and is in keyed engagement with the'latter. The collar I29 embraces said interconnecting. shaft. H301 and is also in keyed engagement therewith. Thus the collar I29 and the main supporting shaft I280 can shift axially oflthe interconnecting shaft I28d by virtue of their keyedcngagement therewith. Any suitable means maybe employed for retaining the constituent parts of. shaft I28 in their position shown in Fig. 12 whereby such axial motion is prevented. For example, suitable conventional means maybe employed for removably securin each main supporting portion against axial motion.

.Thus when it is desired to disassemble the apparatus or when it is desired to remove the sprocket chain, 38 therefrom, such disassembling or. removal is facilitated by the above-described association of shaft parts (Fig. 12). It i understood that the lefthand half I281) of the shaft I 28 is constructed analogously to shaft half I23a.

.It has been found desirable, although the inwire stock 25 over substantially the full width of the grinding face'48a. The fingers I34 and I35 are provided with wire stock supporting faces I34a and 135a, respectively, which are held in spaced relationship to the stock at a distance which is. slightly greater than the diameter of such stock 25 but is sufficiently close to hold same firmly during the grinding action.

.Said supporting fingers I34, I35 are secured to the rotating head 4'! for rotation therewith and arespaced equidistant from the axis of rotation thereof. 'Such supporting means are shown in Fig. 13 and are constituted by a mounting I 36 having a threadedporticn I36a which engages a suitable threaded recess formed in the rotating head 4'! and which may be held firmly in such threaded engagement by a bolt I31 which secures a flange [36b to the rotating head 41. The fingers I34, I35 act not only as supports for the stockat the region of contact with the grinding Wheels but also serve to scrape the stock with a rotary motion thereby aiding in cleaning same.

As shown in Fig. 15, the thickness of the supporting fingers I34, I35 is substantially less than thedia-meterof the wire stock 25,,for example, of the order of one-half such diameter although such' thickness may be greater providing it is not so greatas to engage the grindingwheels.

.A modification of' the nozzle means for directing the coolant or lubricant solution to the wire stock undergoing grinding is shown in Figsfl6 and 1'7 and is generally indicated'at I33. Such nozzle is provided with a frusto-conicalor'funnel portion I39 having a hollow frusto-conical interior I39a and a tiporifice I391) through which passes the wire stock 25. Ihe frusto-conical nozzle'portion I39 is secured to a nozzle base I40 which in turn is rigidly held by a portion of the housing 43a. The nozzle base I40'is provided with a relatively wide central passage I4Ua which is substantially larger thanthe diameter of the wire stock 25. At the inner or lefthand extremity of said nozzle base there is supported a stock uide I4I having interconnecting conical chambers I4Ia-and I4Ib formed in opposite extremities thereof through which the'stock passes. The neck portion of the guide at I4Ic fits loosely around the stock 25 and provides ample clearance for the passage thereof, however, it embraces the wire stock sufficiently closely to prevent passage of any substantial amount of grinding solution.

The-grinding solution is directed onto the stock through the nozzle portion I39 via a plurality of passages I42 which are formed in the. nozzle base M3 at equal intervals therein. The grinding solution reaches such passages via an end chamber I43 (Fig. 16) which communicates wi'thall of the inlets of such passages.

The nozzle tip orifice I391) is substantially greater in inner diameter than the diameter of the wire stock thereby providing ample space for the passage of the grindingsolution which issues therefrom towardthe stock supporting fingers I34, I35.

The embodiments of the invention above described are particularly directed to the'grinding of round wire stock wherein the grinding wheels, as at 43, 49, rotate on their respective axes and engage the round stock as in Fig. 4, such grinding wheels also revolvingplanetarily about the axis of the stock'due to the rotation of the shaft 33 (or' I28). However, it is possible to grind, for example, parallel sided bar stock of polygonal cross section by holding stationary the shaft 33 or I 28, that is, by preventing the main supporting shaft from rotating and by passing the stock between the rotating grinding wheels of the grinding heads. Both of the grinding heads may be relatively angularly disposed to abrade the same pair of parallel opposed surfacesof such polygonal bar stock or different pairs of such surfaces. For example, thegrinding' heads 4| and 42,'as shown in Fig. l, are relatively'angularly arranged to 'grind the same pair of oppositeparallelsurfaces of polygonal bar stock.

'It is understood that the pinch'rolls 25 and the straightener unit 29 are not employed when grinding polygonal bar stock but instead a suitable pair of'power'driven pinch r'olls,as at 2611 (Figs. 18, 19) are preferably employed which are capable 'of' grasping opposite parallel surfaces of such stock as at 25a and urging same toward the grindin heads.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the relative angular disposition of the grinding heads can be ad justed, for example, by adjusting the angular positions of one'of the rotating supporting heads as at 41 relative to shaft 33. Such adjustment of the relative angular positions of the grinding heads can also be made in the modification of Fig. 12 by removing the bolts I3I, making a suitable relative angular adjustment between the collars I29 and I30 (and hence shaft halves I29a, H919) and thereupon reinstalling the bolts |3l with their accompanying nuts. Such an adjustment is shown in the modification of Fig. 18.

For example, in grinding bar stock 25 of square cross section it has been found advantageous to have one pair of grinding Wheels set at right angles to the other pair as in Fig. 18'whereby both pairs of parallel opposite surfaces of the bar stock can be ground in one pass through the apparatus.

In addition to eliminating the pinch rolls 25 and the straightener 29, it may be desirable to attach so-called bar holding fixtures or racks I44 for supporting such bar stock as it is moved to and from the apparatus.

It is-also possible to grind round bar sections in addition to the grinding of so-called continuous coils. .That is, round bar sections of substantial diameters, for example, up to two inches, can be ground by this apparatus. There is thus provided novel apparatus for the grinding of continuous Wire coil stock or round bar stock and also for the grinding of stock of any polygonal configuration having parallel sides, the grinding of such widely different types of stock being possible with a single apparatus. I have found that this apparatus has substantially increased productive capacity over previously suggested continuous coil grinders. Due to the novel automatic characteristics of this apparatus and its increased productive capacity, it accomplishes a substantial saving in the cost of labor. Furthermore, such steels as high speed and tool steel compositions can be surface ground and guaranteed to be free of surface decarburization.

While the invention has been described with respect to a certain preferred example which has given satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover all. such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a grinding machine for wire stock, the combination with a rotatable head support of a pair 'of grinding wheels mounted on said support for planetary movement about the axis of a central passage formed in said support through which the stock can pass, said wheels being mounted face-to-face by means including a pair of grinding wheel support shafts rigidly secured to respective of said grinding wheels, journal means for supporting said grinding wheel support shafts for both axial and angular movement, drive means for said support shafts and grinding wheels, an adjusting motor secured upon said rotatable head support, mechanism for operatively interconnecting said adjusting motor with each of said grinding wheel support shafts for exerting a common thrust upon such shafts in opposite directions, said shafts being axially shiftable in equal and opposite directions thereby, a control device for said adjusting motor remotely situated relative thereto, and electrical interconnecting means between said "motor and control device including slip rings and brushes, said adjusting motor being operable by said control device during rotation of said rotatable head support.

2. A continuous wire coil grinding apparatus comprising in combination: a main supporting shaft; and a grinding head including a pair of grinding wheels, a pair of electric motors for driving respective of said grinding wheels, means for mounting said Wheel in face-to-face relation on opposite sides of the center of said head, there being a passage for the wire through said shaft along the axis of rotation thereof, a pair of outer housings for supporting respective of the housings of said electric motors for axial movement, said grinding wheels being secured respectively to a pair of grinding wheel shafts comprising respectively the shafts of said electric motors, mechanism for axially shifting said mot-or housings within said outer housings ineluding an adjusting motor, and means for operatively connecting the latter to such motor housings.

3. In apparatus for grinding a length of wire, a main supporting shaft mounted for rotation, said shaft having a passage therethrough for the movement of the wire, the passage being formed axially of the shaft, a grinding head support secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a pair of grinding wheels each having a grinding face and each being rotatably mounted upon said support with the grinding face thereof facing one another on opposite sides of the passage through said shaft, means for mounting each of said wheels for axial movement, and mechanism mounted 'on said support for simultaneously moving said wheels axially toward and away from one another, said mechanism comprising electrical power means and an operative interconnection between the last-named means and said wheels for exerting axial thrust upon the latter selectively toward the axis of said main supporting shaft or away therefrom.

4. In a wire grinding apparatus the combination comprising: a main shaft having power means drivably connected thereto for rotating same, said shaft having an axial passage formed therein for the passage of the wire; and a grinding head secured to said shaft for rotation therewith comprising a head support, a pair of grinding wheels having grinding faces, said wheels being rotatably mounted on said support with the face of one positioned opposite the face of the other, the planes of rotation thereof being slightly tilted from a perpendicular relation to the plane of rotation of said support whereby the wire moving in said passage moves between said wheels and is engaged by an outer marginal area of such wheels, a pair of grinding wheel shafts rigidly secured to respective of said grinding wheels, journal means for supporting said grinding wheel shafts for axial movement, power means for driving each of said wheels, separate mechanism including electrical power means mounted on said support, mechanism for operatively interconnecting said electrical power means and said grinding wheel shafts for shifting the latter axially in opposite directions in response to energization of said power means, a control device for said electrical power means, such device being located in a position remote from said power means, and means for electrically interconnecting said control device and said electrical power means including slip ring and brush means, said electrical power means being controllable by said control device during rotation of said main shaft.

5. In a continuous wire coil grin-ding apparatus having a main supporting shaft and a pair of: rotatable supporting heads mounted at opposite extremities of such shaft, there being.

an axial passagethrough such supporting heads and shaft for the. wire, the. combination therewith; of apair of, grinding wheels mounted upon each supporting head for; planetary movement aboutv the wire, each wheel having driving means operatively associated therewith for rotating same means, for mounting said grinding; wheels of; each pair with the axes thereof intersectin and-disposed at an acute angle, the, wheel of each pair being, disposedonopposite sides of the center of, its respective supporting, head and; in-

face-to-facerelationship, said means formountingsaidi grinding. wheels, including mechanism for supporting; samexfor axial movement along the. axes:- of rotation; thereof, power means mounted upon each of. said supporting; heads and operatively associated with said mechanism foractuating same and thereby simultaneously axially adjusting 'theposition of the grinding wheels of each pair thereof.

6. In: a grinding. machineafor elongated stock, the combination comprising: a grinding head support member, means for rotatably mounting said support member, a pair of grinding wheels eachhaving grinding faces which. are rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of, the wheel, said; wheels being secured to said head, support for revolution planetarily about the axis of the latter, there being a passage formed: axially of said head support for the passage of the wire stock and about which said wheels can move planetarily with at least a portion of the face-of each'wheel engaging the stock, power means for each of said grinding wheels, mechanism mounted on, said head support for simultaneously shifting said grinding wheels axially and in opposite directions, and an actuator device mounted also upon saidhead support for said mechanism for actuating same whereby the spacedrelation of the faces of said grinding wheels can be adjusted for controlling the pressure of said wheels upon the Wire stock passing therebetween, said actuator device comprising a common adjusting reversible electric motor operatively connected to said mechanism for axially shifting said grinding wheels.

7. In a grinding machine for elongated stock,

the combination with a pair of head supports of amain supporting shaft therefor having an axial passage therethroughfor the movement of thestock, said shaft being constituted. by separable portion which are removably secured to one another intermediate the extremities thereof, said separable portions being angularly adjjustable relative to-one another, a pair of grind.- ingwheels mounted upon each of said rotatable head supports, said wheels being. mounted. face to face on opposite sides of the passage through said. main supporting shaft, the stock passing between said wheels for grinding, means for mounting said wheels for axial movement, power means for driving said wheels, mechanism mounted on each of said supports for simultaneously moving said wheels axially thereof in opposite directions; and means operable during rotation of said head supports for actuating said mechanisms.

8. In a grinding machine for elongated stock, the combination with a pair of head supports of two pairs of rotatable grinding wheels mounted one pair on each of said supports in face-togrinding wheels for angular adjustment relative to oneanother, meansfor. mounting. said wheels. for axial movement, and mechanism mounted upon each of said. supports for simultaneously moving the-grinding wheels of each pair thereof axially in opposite directions.

9. In a continuous wire coil grinding apparatus having. a main supporting shaft and a rotatable supporting head mounted at one ex,- tremity of. such shaft, there being a passage extending axially through such supporting. head and. shaft for. the wire, the combination therewith of, a pair of grinding wheelsmountedupon such supporting. head. for planetary: movement about the wire, each wheel having drivingmeayns operatively associated therewith for rotating same, means for mountingsa-id grin-ding wheels with the. axes thereof intersecting and disposed at an acute angle such grinding. wheels being disposed on opposite sides of the center .of said supporting head and in facerto-face relationship, said means for mounting said grinding wheels including mechanism for supporting same for axial movement, along the axes of rotation thereof, power mean mounted upon said supporting head and. operatively associated with said mechanism for actuating same and thereby simultaneously axially adjusting the, position of said grinding wheels.

10. In a continuous wire coil grinding apparatus having a main supporting shaft and a rotatable supporting head mounted at one extremity of said shaft, there being a passage extending axially through such supporting head and shaft for the wire, the combination therewith of a pair of grinding wheels mounted upon such supporting head for planetary movement aboutthe wire, each, wheel having driving means operatively associated therewith for rotating same, such grinding, wheels being disposed on opposite sides of the center of said supporting head and in canted face-to-face relationship, means for mounting said grinding wheels upon said supporting head including mechanism for effecting axial movement along the axes of rotation thereof, power means mounted upon said supporting head and operatively associated with said mechanism for actuating same, and control means operatively connected to said power means and located relatively remote from the latter for controlling same during rotation of said supporting head thereby simultaneously to adjust axially the position of such grinding wheels relative to the wire stockpassing through said passage.

WALLACE K. LOWE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are. of record in, the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 762,180 Mi'chou June '7, 1904 2,326,391 Premo Aug. 10, 1943 2,355,907 Cox Aug. 15, 1944 2,383,927 Carlson Aug. 28, 1945 2,444,523 Nye et a1 July 6, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date- 484,923 Great'Britain May 12, 1.93.8 

